1.

 Simple Emergency Light Circuit

This is one of the most cost effective (cheap) and simple emergency light circuit
developed for CircuitsToday – This is an automatic emergency lamp with day light
sensing, means it senses darkness/night and turns ON automatically. Similarly it senses
day light and turns OFF automatically.

A simple emergency lamp which does not require any special equipment; even a
multimeter to assemble and use. Any individual who can do a good quality soldering
must be able to build this circuit successfully. This can be easily accommodated in the
defunct two 6 watt tube National Emergency Lamp or any PL tube type emergency
lamp. The difference will be in the working; it will work non stop for more than 8 hours.
Deep discharge is taken care by the LED characteristic and over charge protection is
taken care by the fixed voltage regulator.This uses a simple 3Pin fixed regulator which
has a built in current limiting circuit. The only required adjustment is the preset which
has to be set to ensure the LEDs just light up (it should be left at that position). The
5mm LDR is just mounted on top of the emergency light as shown in the
photograph. LDR is used to avoid it lighting up during day time or when the room lights
are ON. 2 LEDs are used in series; the dropping resistance is avoided and 2 LEDs light
up with current that is required for a single LED,  by which energy is saved to a great
extent.

Note: This circuit is developed by Mr.Seetharaman for readers of CircuitsToday. This

particular circuit has been kept so simple for people who has limited access to
components or in other words this is an emergency light that you can build with
minimum components. In addition to circuit diagram, He has shared photographs of the
prototype he made in National emergency light and a PCB design.

Simple Emergency Light Circuit Diagram:

Photographs of prototype made in National
Emergency Light:
Emergency Light Circuit PCB Design:

PCB Design

2. RAIN ALARM
This circuit alerts the user when it’s going to rain. This is helpful for the home maids to protect
their washed cloths and other material and things that are vulnerable to rain when they remain
inside the home most of the time for their work.
Components Required
 Probes
 Resistors 330K, 10K
 Transistors BC 548, BC 558
 Speaker
 Battery 3V
 Capacitor .01mf
The circuit diagram of the rain alarm is shown below.

Rain Alarm Circuit

The rain alarm begins to work and becomes operational when rain water comes in contact with
the probe, and once this happens; there is a flow of current through it, which enables the
transistor Q1 that is NPN transistor. Conduction of the Q1 makes Q2 become active which is a
PNP transistor.
Subsequently the Q2 transistor conducts and the current flows through the speaker and the
speaker alarms. Until the probe is in contact with the water, this process repeats again and again.
In this system, the oscillation circuit changes the vibration frequency, and thus changes the tone.

Applications:
The rain alarm system is used for

 Irrigation purposes
 Increasing the signal strength in antennas
 Industrial purpose

Simple Two Way Intercom Circuit

By B.Aswinth Raj 10 Comments
Simple Two Way Intercom Circuit

Most of the schools and offices have intercoms to communicate with people inside a
building or a particular campus. These are just like landline phones but, you do not need
an operator, the voice received from one end will be directly transferred to the receiver on
the other end.  In this circuit we are going to build a very Simple Intercom Circuit using
which you can communicate two wayslocally within your house or school. This project
brings in the childhood memory of using matchboxes with thread to build a simple
telephone. So now let’s take it to the next level by building an electronic circuit (amplifier)
to transmit voice from one end to another end.
 

Materials Required:
1. LM386 Audio Amplifier
2. Speaker (2Nos)
3. Microphone (2Nos)
4. Resistors (10k, 4.7k, 10k)
5. Capacitor (0.1uf, 0.1uf, 10uf, 10uf)
6. SPDT switch
7. Breadboard

Circuit Diagram and Explanation:

The complete circuit diagram of this Intercom Project is given below.
 
As you can see the circuit is very simple and can be easily built over a breadboard. The
main concept behind the circuit is the use of LM386 audio amplifier which receives the
audio signal from microphone, amplifies it and plays it on the speaker. The LM386 has a
gain range from 20-200; by default the value of gain is 20 but can be increased upto 200
by using a capacitor across the pins 1 and 8. Here we have used a capacitor of 10uF to
get the maximum gain of 200. The resistor R2 is used to control the volume of the
speaker; here I have limited the volume to medium level using a 4.7K resistor. You can
experiment with values from 1k-100k to get the volume of your choice.
The output of the amplifier (pin 5) is connected to both the speakers. One speaker will be
used in set-1 and the other in set-2 as show in the circuit diagram. The input of the
amplifier is the microphone (microphone has polarity so be careful while connecting it),
We cannot amplify the sound from both the microphone at the same time, so we use
a SPDT (single pole double throw) switch as shown above.
The SPDT switch will connect only one microphone to the amplifier at a time. So
only one person can talk at a time, this type of communication is called half-duplex
communication and this is what we see in walki-talkies. Each time after speaking
something the user has to flip this SPDT switch for the person on other end to start
talking.
 

Working of Intercom Circuit:

Follow the circuit diagram above and make the connections. To make the project more
attractive you can use long wires to increase the distance between the set-1 and set-2
microphone and speaker. You can use any normal wire for a decent length, but if you
need cover higher distance use a twisted pair cable like CAT5 to avoid being affected by
noise. I just used a normal wire for demonstration and the set-up looks something like this
below:

The complete circuit is built on a bread board, and is powered by a 9V battery. The
circuit can also run on voltage between 5V to 12V so choose a power supply which you
are comfortable with. Now place the SPDT switch in a position and speak into the
respective microphone your voice should be echoed on both the speakers. Similarly place
the switch in opposite position and talk into the other microphone and check if you can
hear the sound on the speakers. Initially you can experiment with the circuit by blowing air
into the microphone and check if the speaker produces some noise.
You can also upgrade this project by adding another SPDT switch to turn of the speaker
on your side when you are talking. Right now both the speakers will always be active to
keep things simple, so do not worry if you hear yourself on the speaker on your end.
 
The complete working of the project is shown in the video below; you can also go through
it if you are confused on how to use it. Hope you understood the project and got it
working, if not feel free to use the comment section or the forums to post your doubt and I
will try my best to resolve it.
 Music Operated Dancing LEDs
By Jayant 123 Comments

Music Operated Dancing LEDs

You must have seen the Disco Lights or DJ lights, which Turn ON and OFF according
to the beats of the music. These lights glow according to the length and pitch (volume) of
music beats, basically these are designed to pick the high intensity sound like Bass
sound. So these lights follow the high pitch beats in music like drum beats, and Turn ON
and OFF according to music pattern. However the sensitivity of the circuit can be
increased to pick the low notes too.
 
Previously we have built Dancing LEDs, which just follow a set pattern and we can only
control the speed. Now we are taking this to next level, i.e. Music Operated Dancing
LEDs, in which LEDs will flash according to music, just like Disco light, as discussed
above. This Musical LEDs circuit is based on transistor BC547. This circuit is very
simple and easy to build, it just requires few basic components and it looks very cool.
 

Components:
 Condenser Mic
 5- NPN Transistor BC547
 Resistors- 10k (2), 1k (4), 1M (1)
 Ceramic Capacitor 100nF
 4 – LEDs
 9v Battery
 Breadboard and connecting wires

 
Working Explanation:
In this Simple LED Music Light Circuit, condenser mic picks up the sound signals and
converts them into voltage levels. These voltage signals are further fed into R-C filter or
HIGH PASS filter (R2 and C1), to eliminate the noise from the sound. Further a NPN
transistor (Q1- BC547) is used to amplify the signals, from the High Pass filter. Then
finally these music signals are given to the array of four transistors. Transistor in this array
works as amplifier, and glows the four LEDs according to the sound pattern. This
generates a very interesting sequence of dancing LEDs which follows the beats as per
their intensity or pitch. We can also add more LEDs with transistor to make it cooler.
 
 

 
We can adjust the sensitivity of MIC by changing the value of R2 and C1, by using the
formula for R-C filter:
 F = 1/ (2πRC)
F is the cut off frequency, means filter only allow frequency above than F. It can be easily
deduced that more the value of RC, less the cut off frequency and higher the sensitivity of
MIC. And higher the sensitive of circuit means MIC can pick low volume sounds, hence
LEDs can glow on low pitch music also. So by adjusting its sensitivity we can make it less
sensitive to reacts only on high note beats or we can also make it more sensitive to react
on every little beat in the music. Here we have set its sensitivity at moderate level.
 
Condenser Mic should be connected properly in the circuit, according to its polarity. To
determine the polarity of MIC one should look at mic terminals, the terminal which have
three soldering lines, is the negative terminal.
 
Transistor BC547 is a NPN transistor, which is used as a Amplifier here. NPN transistor
acts as a open switch when there is no voltage applied on its Base (B) and it acts as
closed switch when these is some voltage at its base. Generally 0.7 volt is enough to get
it fully conducted. 
imple Fire Alarm Circuits at Low Cost
AUGUST 14, 2017 BY ADMINISTRATOR 13 COMMENTS

Fire Alarm Circuit is a simple circuit that detects the fire and activates the Siren Sound
or Buzzer. Fire Alarm Circuits are very important devices to detect fire in the right time
and prevent any damage to people or property.

Fire Alarm Circuits and Smoke Sensors are a part of the security systems which help in
detecting or preventing damage. Installing Fire Alarm Systems and Smoke Sensors in
commercial buildings like offices, movie theatres, shopping malls and other public
places is compulsory.

There are many expensive and sophisticated Fire Alarm Circuit in the form of stand-
alone devices, but we have designed five very simple Fire Alarm Circuits using common
components like Thermistor, LM358, Germanium Diode, LM341 and NE555.

We will see all these circuit, their circuit diagrams, components required for each circuit
and the working of the individual circuit in the following sections.
 Table of Contents
 Circuit 1 Simple Fire Alarm Circuit    
o Circuit Diagram
o Components Required
o Component Description
o Circuit Design
o Working of the Simple Fire Alarm Circuit
 Circuit 2 Simple Fire Alarm Circuit using Thermistor
 o Circuit Diagram
o Components of Fire Alarm Circuit
o Circuit Working
 Circuit 3 Fire Alarm with Siren Sound
o Circuit Diagram
o Components Required
o Working
 Circuit 4 Fire Alarm Circuit Using LM741
o Block Diagram of Fire Alarm Circuit Using LM741
o Circuit Diagram of Fire Alarm Using LM741
o Circuit working
 Circuit 5 Fire Alarm Circuit Using Germanium Diode
o Block Diagram of Fire Alarm Circuit Using Germanium Diode
o Circuit Diagram of Fire Alarm Using Germanium Diode
o Circuit Working
 Applications
Circuit 1 Simple Fire Alarm Circuit    
This is a very simple alarm circuit using Thermistor, LM358 Operational – Amplifier and
a Buzzer.

Circuit Diagram
The circuit diagram of this simple Fire Alarm Project is shown in the following image.

Components Required

 1 x 10 K Thermistor
  1 x LM358 Operational Amplifier (Op – Amp)
 1 x 4.7 KΩ Resistor (1/4 Watt)
 1 x 10 KΩ Potentiometer
 1 x Small Buzzer (5V Buzzer)
 Connecting Wires
 Mini Breadboard
 5V Power Supply

Component Description
10K Thermistor

Thermistors are Temperature Dependent Resistors i.e. the resistance of a Thermistor

varies according to the ambient temperature. There are two types of Thermistors: PTC
Thermistor and NTC Thermistor. PTC stands for Positive Temperature Coefficient and
NTC stands for Negative Temperature Coefficient. In PTC Thermistor, the resistance is
directly proportional to the temperature and in NTC Thermistor, the resistance is
inversely proportional to the temperature.

In this project we have used a 10 KΩ Thermistor with NTC. At 25 0C, the resistance of
the 10 KΩ Thermistor is 10 KΩ. The following image shows the 10K Thermistor used in
this project.

LM358 Operational Amplifier

LM358 is a Dual Operational Amplifier (Op – Amp) IC. All the functional modes of the
typical operational amplifier can be implemented using LM358 IC. In this project though,
we will be using the LM358 Operational Amplifier in the Comparator Mode where the
input signals on inverting and non – inverting terminals are compared and
corresponding output is produced.

Circuit Design
The design of the Fire Alarm Circuit with Siren Sound is very simple. First, connect the
10 KΩ Potentiometer to the inverting terminal of the LM358 Op – Amp. One end of the
POT is connected to +5V, other end is connected to GND and the wiper terminal is
connected to Pin 2 of Op – Amp.

We will now make a potential divider using 10 K Thermistor and 10 KΩ Resistor. The
output of this potential divider i.e. the junction point is connected to the non – inverting
input of the LM358 Operational Amplifier.

We have chosen a small, 5V buzzer in this project to make the alarm or siren sound.
So, connect the output of the LM358 Op – amp to the 5V Buzzer directly.

Pins 8 and 4 of the LM358 IC i.e. V+ and GND are connected to +5V and GND
respectively.

Working of the Simple Fire Alarm Circuit

We will now see the working of the simple Fire Alarm Circuit. First thing to know is that
the main component in detecting the fire is the 10 K Thermistor. As we mentioned in the
component description, the 10 K Thermistor used here is a NTC type Thermistor. If the
temperature increases, the resistance of the Thermistor decreases.

In case of fire, the temperature increases. This increase in temperature will reduce the
resistance of the 10 K Thermistor. As the resistance decreases, the output of the
voltage divider will increase. Since the output of the voltage divider is given to the non –
inverting input of the LM358 Op – Amp, its value will become more than that of the
inverting input. As a result, the output of the Op – Amp becomes high and it activates
the buzzer.

Circuit 2 Simple Fire Alarm Circuit using Thermistor

Circuit Diagram

Components of Fire Alarm Circuit

 Thermistor
 Variable resistor(POT)
  Diode
 Capacitor
 Resistor
 BC547 Transistor
 Speaker

Circuit Working

 The circuit consists of a 10k ohm thermistor. This is an NTC thermistor, which decreases
its resistance with increase in the temperature.
 At room temperature it had a resistance of 10kohms.
 Another resistance is connected to the thermistor to form voltage divider circuit and this
is connected to the transistor through a diode.
 Buzzer switches on only when the transistor is grounded. As the temperature increase
the buzzer sound also increases

Also read this interesting post: Panic Alarm Circuit

Circuit 3 Fire Alarm with Siren Sound

This circuit alerts us when there is a fire accident at home by ringing a siren sound. You
might have seen fire alarms earlier but this is quite different as it generates a siren
sound instead of a buzzer and also it uses basic components to generate that siren
sound.
We are aware that there are many integrated circuits which can be used to generate the
siren effect but we preferred to use basic electronics components like resistors,
capacitors and transistors to generate it so that you will clearly understand the internal
working of it and it will be much useful for you as you will gain more knowledge by
analyzing it instead of simply going for pre designed integrated circuits.

Circuit Diagram

Components Required

 1 x 10K Thermistor
 2 x BC547 NPN Transistor
 1 x BC107 NPN Transistor
 1 x 2N2222 NPN Transistor
 1 x 2N2907 PNP Transistor
 3 x 4.7KΩ Resistor (1/4 Watt)
 1 x 470KΩ Resistor (1/4 Watt)
 1 x 56KΩ Resistor (1/4 Watt)
 1 x 47KΩ Resistor (1/4 Watt)
 1 x 39KΩ Resistor (1/4 Watt)
 1 x 22KΩ Resistor (1/4 Watt)
 1 x 1KΩ Resistor (1/4 Watt)
 1 x 470Ω Resistor (1/4 Watt)
 1 x 120Ω Resistor (1/4 Watt)
 1 x 10KΩ Potentiometer
 1 x 22µF Capacitor (Polarized)
 1 x 470nF (0.47µF) Ceramic Capacitor
 1 x Buzzer

Working
This circuit uses a thermistor to sense the temperature. When it senses that the
temperature of the environment is increasing above a given threshold, then it gives a
signal. The temperature at which the circuit detects fire can be adjusted by using the
potentiometer arrangement at VR1.

Get an idea about Thermistor Temperature Sensing Alarm if you are interested.

When the temperature increases above the set value, the potentiometer arrangement
produces a high voltage. This voltage is then given to BC547 transistor in common
emitter mode. It is an NPN general purpose transistor. When the base is given a high
input, it gets turned on. When the transistor is turned on, its collector voltage is reduced
to low as the collector to emitter voltage decreases. The collector output voltage of the
first transistor is given to the base as an input to the second BC 547 NPN transistor.
This transistor too is in common emitter mode and as the input is low when the
temperature threshold is reached, the output at the collector will rise high. In this state, it
will turn on the next transistor, i.e. BC107. This transistor will now act as a switch for the
siren circuit. This transistor can bear power quite larger than the BC547 and it is also
equipped with a heat sink for that purpose.

When the BC107 transistor turns on, it allows current to pass from power supply to
ground through collector thereby acting as an electronically controlled switch. When the
current is passing, the siren circuit which is assembled as the load to the circuit is
turned ON. Then you can hear the siren sound through the buzzer. The capacitors used
in the circuit are the main components in producing the siren effect. The principle
involved in generating the siren effect is to make an oscillator with an envelope which
periodically increases and decreases so as to generate that effect.